Gardens and Opening Times

If you wish to bring a large group to visit, please phone to confirm first.

Some owners are happy for visitors to bring a picnic - just ask!

Children are welcome, but must be accompanied and supervised at all times.

Sorry, but no dogs please.

Instead of an admission charge, every visitor is asked to make a donation to the garden's chosen charity

The proceeds go to the charity concerned.

Some gardens offer plants, cards and other items for sale (which is separate from your donation)

Owners of some gardens may provide light refreshments.

If you can't visit when they're open

Most gardens are happy to welcome visitors by arrangement, please phone to confirm a mutually suitable time.

Leaflets containing detail of the gardens, dates/opening times and directions are available from Sligo Tourist Office, most garden centres, and other outlets in Sligo, or by contacting kitchin.rosemary@gmail.com or via Facebook: Secret Gardens of Sligo

Map of garden locations, and locations of our sponsors

Please use in conjunction with a road map/sat nav

The map shows the approximalte location of each garden.

County Sligo is easily accessible by train or bus from Dublin (Connolly Station and Busaras), and by air to Knock Ireland West, but the gardens are in rural locations and only accessible by private transport.

An easy overview of garden opening days (by garden number, see detailed information beside each garden in listings below)

[- Erratum: Apologies - in our leaflet the calendar indicates that Newpark, Garden No 8, is open on 17 June. This is an error - ]

Other events you might enjoy:

This half-acre coastal garden started in 2005 with the planting of boundary hedges and small stands of trees to provide shelter from the cold, salty winds. There are now small woodland areas, a circular herb garden, perennial borders and lawns, a pergola and a patio garden as well as raised fruit and vegetable beds and a polytunnel.

Open: 2pm - 5pm on 23 July and 20 August

Turn off N15 at Yeats Tavern onto L3305 to Lissadell House. Continue past Lissadell House for 1km, take Raghley turn at Dunleavy's shop. Take first R, garden is 4th house on R.

2 Two Mile Hill CalryPatricia Fitzsimons & Ben Flood 087 766 0082

This garden was designed to lovingly envelop an old farmhouse, be strong on structure and low on maintenance. Imposing trees encompass lawns, a stream, a pond and flowering shrubs; raised bed grow organic vegetables; and this year sees new steps, a wildflower meadow, an insect Biome, and additional heraceous planting.

Open: Noon – 5pm on 23 July

Towards N16 from Sligo centre, but at +roads/traffic lights, take R286 (Dromahair), then L to Calry. Continue approx 1.5 km to house on L with green wooden gates (before Calry Church).

3 Clogherevagh Nr Lough ColgaghMartina Flynn 087 236 5055

This is a flower arranger’s garden, so flowers reign supreme, and winding paths meander around shrubs, flower beds and lawn, making a pleasing, colourful circuit. A small vegetable garden lies behind, and a charming stone-built forge from years gone by has been restored.

Open: 2pm – 6pm on 4 & 10 June

Towards N16 from Sligo centre, but at Ballinode +roads/traffic lights, R onto R286 to Dromahair. After Toyota Garage, veer R to St Angela's College, house on L at top of hill.

4 Yeats' Secret Garden in SligoThe Model The Mall Sligo 071 914 1405

This showgarden won a Gold Medal at Bloom as part of Yeats 2015, and was then relocated to The Model in Sligo. It was opened by the actress Joanna Lumley on Yeats' birthday that year. The garden represents the vision WB Yeats had of a secret hideaway on Lough Gill, as described in his famous poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree. Leaflets giving details about the garden are available on site or on request inside The Model.

On the Mall in Sligo Town, opp the Church. Parking on The Mall or Connaughton Road car park. Entrances to The Model on both streets.

5 Slieve Daeane Cleveragh Drive Sligo TownAnita O'Connor 087 657 4792

This 3/4 acre garden was created in the 1950's and has matured over the years since then, with the addition of a pond and waterfall. Although on the edge of Sligo Town, it is beautifully secluded against a green backdrop, and contains a mixture of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and fruit.

Open: 2pm – 5.30pm 21 May

On Cleveragh Drive, use free parking opposite the Sports Complex. Walk 5 minutes towards the Race Course (west) to the 3rd house on the L.

6 Breeogue RansboroEna MacLoughlin 086 170 8041

This old walled garden is in the process of restoration. It nestles at the foot of Knocknarea with pleasant views of Ballisodare Bay and the Ox Mountains. It comprises herbaceous borders, lawn surrounded by paths and climbing roses on pergolas. Close by there is a small woodland with mature broadleaf trees. Breeogue Pottery is located on the grounds.

Open: 2pm – 5pm on 18 June

On the N4, take exit for Strandhill (R292). On this route, turn L at green sign for Breeogue Pottery. From Sligo Town via Carrowmore Tombs, turn L at Ransboro Church and R at Pottery sign.

7 Ros na Rún Ross SkreenJohn & Ann Preston 087 414 9712

Nestled in the foothills of the Ox Mountains with panoramic views of Knocknarea, Benbulben and Ballisodare Bay, this one acre stone-walled garden comprises an ever increasing variety of herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs.

Open: 1pm – 5pm on 20-21 May, 17-18 June, 15-16 July, 12-13 Aug,

On N59 Sligo-Ballina, L onto L2203 (Ladies Brae) at Skreen, travel 2km. L at first crossroads (after pumphouse). Travel 1km, R at fingerpost to ‘Clippers’. First house on L.

8 Newpark BallymoteRosemary & Anthony Kitchin 086 337 5741

Set in unspoilt countryside, the mature gardens at Newpark consist of deciduous trees, shrubs and a small herbaceous border. A large vegetable garden, recently extended, is situated in the old walled garden. Visitors can also enjoy a walk around the lake which is home to waterfowl and other birds.

Open: 2pm-4.30pm on 1 July, 20 August

On N4 Sligo-Boyle, turn R onto L1502 (Ballymote). After 1km take R fork, Newpark is first gate on R.

9 6 O'Connell Street BallymoteJohn Coleman 087 6473581

Created in 2011, this bijou secret garden lies hidden behind a town house in Ballymote's main street. A garden in miniature inspired by the work of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, with dry stone walls, beech and box hedging and gravel and hard surfaces for easy maintenance. Soft planting consists of shrubs, clematis, roses, lavender and herbaceous perennials. (Live performances of Baroque music, weather permitting.)

Open: 2.30pm – 5pm 25 June, 16 July

On Ballymote's main street, opposite JB Bookmakers. Door with diamond glass panel, between Church of Ireland and roads for Boyle/Gurteen/etc

10 Annaghcor CastlebaldwinJane & Paddy Thompson 085-8708097

Farm and gardens by Lough Arrow. The gardens are a mix of established shrubs, trees and developing areas around a new house, including low maintenance borders, perennials, ornamental grasses, annuals and pots. There is a raised vegetable garden with greenhouse, fruit beds and composting area. Walk around the wildlife pond or through the fields to the lake shore.

Created by two artists in an intimate rural setting, this garden combines productivity, ornamental planting and permaculture. Winding grass paths lead to ponds, developing woodland and polytunnels, one jungle-themed, one for fruit and veg. With an eclectic mix of planting and sculpture, this 17 year-old garden is still developing.

Open: 11am-5pm on 28 May, 25 June, 9 & 30 July, 6 & 27 Aug, 10 Sept

On R361 Boyle-Frenchpark, R after Saddlers Inn. After approx 2.5km keep R on big bend, take 2nd lane on R. Entrance just after first cottage.